Saltydog,
(This is according to OBR; don't know if FED differs.)
Basically, the rule says that any advances or outs by baserunners which occur during the improper batter's at bat which are not the result of the batter's actions in becoming a runner are allowed to stand, regardless of whether or not the defense properly appeals the BOOT.
Any advances or outs which occur as a result of the batter's actions in becoming a runner (including the batter runner's out, if he is out on the play) are nullified if the defense properly appeals the BOOT and a single out is charged against the proper batter. (I think there is a significant difference in FED in that outs obtained by the defense on a play where the batter became a runner stand and only advances are nullified if the defense properly appeals the BOOT. But I'm really not sure.)
Some examples (again, under OBR):
We have Fred (7th) coming to bat when Mike (6th) is the proper batter, and Bob (8th) follows Fred in the batting lineup.
Just for fun, let's say we also have Able at 2B and Baker at 1B when Fred comes to bat (they were both proper batters, so Fred is the first "improper batter").
With the count 2-1 on Fred, Able steals 3B and is safe. The pitch was a ball, making the count 3-1.
On the next pitch:
A. The pitcher calls ball four and awards Fred 1B on a base on balls, forcing Baker to 2B. After Fred reaches 1B, the defense requests time and appeals the BOOT. Mike (the proper batter who didn't bat) is called out, Fred is removed from 1B (improper batter), Baker is returned to 1B (advanced due to Fred's base on balls), but Able remains at 3B (advanced during the at bat, not due to Fred's action in becoming a runner). We now wait to see who the offense is going to send to the plate. At this point, the proper batter is Fred, so if someone else comes to the plate, we have the potential for another BOOT.
or,
B. Fred hits a fly ball to deep center which is legally caught by the F8. Able and Baker both legally retouch on the catch and attempt to advance. Able scores, but Baker is thrown out on a close tag play at 2B. If the defense subsequently appeals Fred's BOOT, Able is returned to 3B, nullifying his score, Baker is returned to 1B, nullifying his out, and Mike is declared out, nullifying the out on the catch of Fred's fair batted ball to CF. If the defense does not appeal the BOOT before the first pitch to the next batter, then the run scores and the outs on both Baker and Fred stand.
Obviously, these are not exhaustive examples and there are thousands of different permutations.
Hope this helps.
JM
[Edited by CoachJM on May 8th, 2005 at 03:28 AM]
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